As a DNR Instructor and a MN Carry instructor, we hear about not only the good, but also the bad things that Minnesota DNR Conservation Officers do when "enforcing" the gaming laws....

Such as the case this past weekend when a student of ours informed us that while out duck hunting this last Friday (Nov. 27th), he and his hunting partner were approached by a DNR conservation officer in Pine County. An older CO, with a female partner is how our student describe this CO (I'm still waiting on a name).

The CO told my student that the uncased and unloaded shotgun in his boat needed to be in a case before he shoved off in the boat. My student correctly informed the CO that the law changed this year, and now all that is necessary is for any rifle or shotgun to be unloaded and uncased if traveling to or from a place to be lawfully hunted that day or from one site to another. The CO told my student he was wrong (my student was NOT wrong) and that if he did not case the shotgun, he, the CO, would confiscate the firearm and perhaps the boat.

Today I called the DNR at the main number and the person I spoke to agreed that the law changed and the CO had it wrong. He offered to give me the CO's supervisor's phone number, a Lt. Rita Frenzel at 218-372-8158. The problem is and was that I have dealt with Ms. Frenzel before and she's not agreeable to hearing anything bad about her COs.

The new exceptions to 97B.045 Transportation of firearms are below:

Subd. 3. Exceptions; hunting and shooting ranges. (a) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary under this chapter, a person may transport an unloaded, uncased firearm, excluding a pistol as defined in paragraph (b), in a motor vehicle while at a shooting range, as defined under section 87A.01, subdivision 3, where the person has received permission from the lawful owner or possessor to discharge firearms; lawfully hunting on private or public land; or travelling to or from a site the person intends to hunt lawfully that day or has hunted lawfully that day, unless:(1) within Anoka, Hennepin, or Ramsey county;(2) within an area where the discharge of a firearm has been prohibited under section 471.633;(3) within the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city with a population of 2,500 or more;(4) on school grounds; or(5) otherwise restricted under section 97A.091, 97B.081, or 97B.086.

Bottom line Ms. Frenzel - educate your COs on the law so they are not out bullying law abiding hunters with threats of private property confiscation or bogus charges. See page 21 of the Hunting and trapping regulations where the law is summarized.
GS